Reading about the Florida Legislature can be like reading a Carl Hiaasen novel, especially concerning water quality issues.

A Senate bill proposes to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to clean up our neglected springs and water sources. Meanwhile, the House is trying to eviscerate the Senate bill and working hard to allow the causes of the problems to continue or even expand. Their bill would get rid of regulations and make the problem worse.

Gov. Rick Scott applauds himself after announcing he's requesting $55 million in taxpayer money for springs and water cleanup. Meanwhile, his Department of Environmental Protection is allowing millions more gallons of water to be pumped from our aquifer, while industry and agriculture runoff into our water sources will need to be cleaned up with more dollars.

I can't figure out why legislators behave in ways that jeopardize the future quality of life of their children. I don't understand why the elected few are unable to see the environment in Florida as the treasure, and source for the treasury, that it is.

But I can recognize when their ignorant behavior affects me, my money, my quality of life and the state I care about. It's time the whole Legislature did their job and behaved as if they were acting on behalf of all Floridians, not just the ones who have the most coins to throw in their collection plates.

Julie Wert, Aripeka

On water, time to take stand | April 6, editorial

Another embarrassment

This legislative session was initially billed as the "Year of Water," aiming to strengthen state protection of Florida's 700-plus natural springs. Instead, it appears the Legislature's annual embarrassing and inadequate environmental performance is right on track.

House Speaker Will Weatherford is blocking badly needed legislation, kicking the can down the road for another year and claiming that his successor, Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, has more "expertise on the issue."

More troubling, Weatherford doesn't even want to consider the Senate Springs Protection Bill, claiming disingenuously that the House has its own legislation when in fact it has nothing like the comprehensive Senate plan.

Normally, in an election year, the Legislature's mantra is to "do no harm." Weatherford's doing nothing, calling for another study and refusing to consider legislation, when the reasons and solution to our water woes have long been well known and scientifically demonstrated.

Terry Brant, Melrose

Come for surgery, enjoy the sunshineApril 6

State of dubious delights

Why stop at touting medical tourism in the Sunshine State? Why not, "Come and watch our water quality dip and enjoy the sunshine" or "Come and watch Pasco County I-75 projects as they slow down traffic for the next umpteen years and enjoy the sunshine"?

I hope that after their heart transplant, patients aren't pushed out of the hospital into a hotel to enjoy the sunshine too soon.

John Hayes, Sun City Center

Democrats aim to fight Koch attacks | April 6

Free speech rights

First, Sen. Marco Rubio fails to support his own immigration bill. Then he denounces Democrats, exercising their First Amendment rights, for being critical of the Koch brothers who, he says, are exercising their First Amendment rights. Go figure.

Randy Nelson, Tampa

Free speech and the money to get it heardApril 7, commentary

When money buys laws

In defending Supreme Court gutting of campaign reform, columnist Robert Samuelson says corruption of government is no threat because there are super-rich liberals as well as super-rich conservatives.

For the conservatives, however, it is not just a matter of ideology but the best possible investment. They buy politicians who pass laws to make the top one-tenth of 1 percent even richer.

Byron Evans, Spring Hill

Governor travels in wealth, stealth | April 7

Governor deserves praise

Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott for using his private plane and saving taxpayer money. Your headline should have read, "Bravo, Scott."

Martha Rhoades, St. Petersburg

Bush, Rubio give similar remarks on immigration | April 9

Citizens need jobs first

How can Jeb Bush think it is okay to have illegals enter this country because they need a job to support their family? There is a lawful way to do this, through the system. We have almost three people looking for every job available, so why should these jobs not go to our own citizens?

Vernon Hall, Avon Park

Heed the warning signs of child abuseApril 6, editorial

Homeschool not to blame

It is incredible that the Times felt the need to demonize homeschooling based on a "bizarre, isolated incident" of child abuse. If there is any blame, it should be placed on the Department of Children and Families, who "closed the case" on the mother.

According to Homeschool Legal Defense, "Abuse in homeschooling families is rarer than in the general population." The suggestion that Florida children who are homeschooled should undergo a "regular physical check" is insulting. Moreover, the suggestion that one warning sign of child abuse includes a home with "multiple children" is another sign that the Times has an agenda. I say this as a homeschooling mother of seven.

Pat Lancaster, Seminole

Political ads

I'll be tuning out

Florida's television stations and their regular advertisers might want to rethink the airing of political ads more than seven months before the election. When a political ad appears, I change the channel. I suspect that I am far from alone.